Memory Management Tutorial
Complete guide to using OpenClaw's persistent memory system effectively
Complete guide to using OpenClaw's persistent memory system effectively
Here's how to use and manage OpenClaw's persistent memory—daily notes, memory files, Obsidian, and context across conversations. Roughly 20–25 minutes.
When you finish, you'll understand:
Before starting:
~/clawd (or your custom location)OpenClaw stores memories as Markdown files in your workspace:
~/clawd (default) or your configured workspaceYYYY-MM-DD.md~/clawd/sessions/View your workspace directory:
ls ~/clawd
# or
open ~/clawdDaily notes are automatically created each day. Let's view today's note:
cat ~/clawd/$(date +%Y-%m-%d).md
# or open in your editor
open ~/clawd/$(date +%Y-%m-%d).mdDaily notes contain:
Example daily note structure:
# 2026-01-31
## Conversations
- Discussed project setup with user
- Helped configure voice features
- Answered questions about browser automation
## Important Information
- User prefers dark mode interfaces
- Workspace location: ~/projects/openclaw
- User's name: John
- Preferred coding language: Python
## Preferences
- Notification frequency: Important only
- Email integration: GmailYou can directly edit memory files to correct or add information:
Example: Correct your name if OpenClaw remembered it incorrectly:
# Open the file
nano ~/clawd/2026-01-31.md
# Find and correct:
# Change: User's name: John
# To: User's name: JaneSearch across all memory files:
# Search for a topic
grep -r "project" ~/clawd/*.md
# Search with context
grep -r -A 2 -B 2 "email" ~/clawd/*.mdObsidian is a powerful knowledge management tool that works perfectly with OpenClaw's memory files:
~/clawdln -s ~/clawd ~/obsidian-vaults/openclaw-memoriesOnce set up:
You can influence how OpenClaw uses memories:
Explicitly tell OpenClaw to remember something:
Periodically review your memories:
OpenClaw automatically loads relevant memories based on:
You can ask OpenClaw: "What do you remember about me?" to see what context is loaded.
Create templates for recurring information:
# User Profile
## Preferences
- Theme: Dark
- Language: English
- Timezone: PST
## Projects
- Project 1: Description
- Project 2: DescriptionTrack memory changes with Git:
cd ~/clawd
git init
git add *.md
git commit -m "Initial memory files"
# Add to .gitignore if needed for sensitive infoRegularly backup your memories:
openclaw gateway logsNow that you understand memory management, explore these related topics:
For structured long-term memory and automatic curation (e.g. context trees, memory flush at compaction), see community skills on ClawHub such as ByteRover.
Memories become more valuable over time. The more you interact with OpenClaw, the better it understands your preferences and context. Let memories accumulate naturally, and periodically review and refine them.